Usually, news seldom bring laughter… but this one might just change your perception… taken from here…
28 July 2009 – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has sought Malaysia’s assistance in tackling the problem of corruption besetting the east African nation.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the president expressed his concern over the problem, which affected not only Uganda but also its neighbours in Africa, during the discussion at the ongoing Global Smart Partnership dialogue, here.
“
In our session with heads of government earlier, I had the chance to discuss with them what has been done in Uganda and the President’s vision is to find a way to overcome the corruption problem”
“In fact, the president wanted our views on how to get rid of corruption. Many heads of government gave similar views because corruption is a universal problem,” he told Malaysian journalists covering the dialogue here Monday.
Muhyiddin was among the heads of government attending the 3 day dialogue, themed “Towards a Smarter Globe: The Smart Partnership Way For Realising Socio-economic Transformation Through Regional Integration.”
The dialogue is organised by the Commonwealth Partnership for Technology Management (CPTM) together with the host government. Previous dialogues had been held in Malaysia, Eastern Africa (Uganda), Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and Zambia, and the Caribbean (Barbados).
(Zewt got curious and googled this CPTM and found the homepage. Checkout the member countries)
Muhyiddin said that almost all the participating nations gave backgrounds of information on corruption.
“We, together with (former prime minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other leaders discussed how to address the problem. We shared our experience on how to do it the Malaysian way”
“What is important is for the people to realise the danger of corruption so that it will be seen as a disgusting practice,” he said.
Sharing the success stories of the Malaysian-Anti Corruption Commission (MACC), Muhyiddin said Malaysia was trying its best to put a stop to the problem.
“We just share knowledge, they don’t have to follow us,” he added.
Yes, some of us may laugh and perhaps give a few cynical remarks and ridicule this *can someone please suggest an adjective* article. But if we are to sit down and ponder on the bigger picture, it can quite a horrifying sight.
But since it’s Friday and weekend is here… let us just laugh… for the time being…
1 year ago… Live your best life
2 years ago… We really deserve it… Confession of a brave soul
Yes, that’s the word of the day. I have never been so been so busy for the longest time. Loads of e-mails… calls from as early as 8.30am and before I can even finish my first mug of water, it’s already lunch time.
After a quick lunch, a couple of meetings… conference calls… this and that and before I knew it… it’s already 5.40pm! What the… !!!
The main reason for this incredibly busy-ness is that I am currently involved in a highly confidential project. Information kept changing and my comments and advice had to be constantly revised, it’s really driving me crazy. But, it’s good experience. This is going to give a big boost for my CV.
Plenty to share about this project but since it is highly confidential; I can’t talk about it here… not yet. But like I said, plenty to talk about it after it is completed.
As for now, I just have to comply with the hectic game.
I need to catch up on my lack of fluid now…
1 year ago… Who thou seeketh in thy sadness?
Wow! This is getting exciting! Do you know that a new blog by the name of “Truth for Teoh Beng Hock” is in town? The owner of the blog is unknown but he/she is claiming that the Teoh was killed by his own party… DAP!
The “reasoning” is that Teoh was about to expose the “massive” corruption in the Selangor PR govt but DAP somehow managed to get to him first before he can said anything. Don’t play-play, there are even scanned documents in that blog for your reading pleasure.
Do I believe this blog? Hmmmm… let’s see… let’s digest this to see if I get it right.
That blog is saying that while Teoh was being interrogated for more than 10 hours in the MACC building, DAP somehow managed to send in some high level assassin. Not only that, these assassins killed Teoh and got out without MACC’s knowledge. Wow… don’t mess with DAP, they have a few Jason Bourne(s) up their sleeve.
Oh wait… maybe… the MACC is actually working for DAP! Ahhhh… it all makes sense now. That’s why MACC never investigate Khir Toyo. Remember how Khir agreed to pay some DAP MP if his mansion can be sold for some tens of millions? Actually right… they “pakat” already. That’s why lah… DAP ordered the MACC not to investigate Khir Toyo, so that DAP can get the commission.
Gee… it’s just so clear now isn’t it?
Wow! Now I think DAP has been planning the demise of Anwar! You know why?
The last time Anwar “failed to turn up” for some questioning, the govt sent almost the entire police force to arrest him. But now right, with evidence of “massive” corruption in DAP, the entire police and army plus a few MIG 29s should have been deployed to bust DAP’s ass! But that didn’t happen!
Oh no!!! You know why?... DAP is in control of the police and army too! How come I didn’t see it earlier! Damn it! They are the bastards who ordered the arrest of Anwar ala special task force fashion. Damn you DAP!
I am really mad now. I feel so stupid! And because of this, I am going to believe whatever scanned documents in that blog. Doesn’t matter even if those documents are plain word document or excel sheet with no signature or whatsoever. It doesn’t matter because clearly, DAP is at fault.
Those of you who are demanding DAP for an answer. Yes, here I come to join your force! Let’s forget about getting an answer from the govt, let us just focus on getting an answer from DAP. Yes, that’s right... !
Yes, because of this one blog, I now believe that DAP is evil.
1 year ago… 5 reasons we won’t be nuke-d… Wrong and again I was wrong… A candle epic
2 years ago… The sponge and the dirty spoon… We probably deserve it… More but less…
I was thinking…
If I die an unexplained death… a day before I was to be legally married to the love of my life… who happened to be also mothering my child… and all my loved ones are angry and grieving my death… and that I am a person who walk to the talk as I have decided to commit my career for a political course unlike so many others who only know how to talk and do nothing…
Considering the above…
Would I prefer to be left alone since I am already dead? Would I prefer to hear the “let him rest in peace lah” responses and be forgotten by the time people eat their nasi-lemak / bak-kut-teh next week?
Or…
Would I be adamant that those who are still capable of doing something will get to the bottom of things and that I will never rest “in peace” till truth prevails?
I wonder…
Warning: Relatively long read…
I have always wanted to blog about this topic but somehow, never got around writing it. However, after such an eventful week, I guess the time is right to finally pen my thoughts.
Migration, moving to what is perceived as the greener pasture, is a dream to some. But at the same time, it has its fair share of critics. And, it also boasts of a relatively worrying amount of “failed attempts”, forcing some to return to their original country with less money, and wasted time. It is a daunting thought.
In my zewtpinion (wow, it has a long time since I said that), one has to objectively establish one’s true intention in making this leap of faith. To really see whether migrating is a wise or foolish decision, one has to ascertain whether one is running from something, or one is running towards something.
Impartially speaking, the critics are right. No one can confidently say that one will definitely be stepping foot on “greener” pasture. “That country is also racist”… “You will be a second-class citizen there”… “You think they don’t have such problem there?”… such are the usual rhetoric. In all honestly, they are absolutely true.
Hence, here is where I am of the zewtpinion that if you are migrating to run away from something, be it racism, marginalisation, corruption, inequality or outright brutality, then you are most probably going to hit a hard wall. These evil realities of our human race are everywhere. Perhaps the magnitude may not be as high, but they will be there nonetheless.
Therefore, if you are leaving this country simply because you want to run away from “things happening here” (I do not need to list them, I am sure you know what are they); your migration plan will most probably fail. And a typical Malaysian critic will deem that you will also be running away from the wonderful nasi-lemak, char-kuey-teow, bak-kut-teh, mamak, etc. as if those things are the elixirs of life.
As such, the running-away route should not be your approach if you want to migrate. Instead, you should clearly establish what you are running towards, clearly identifying what are the things that you are seeking in the country you want to step foot on. And this is how I approach my migration plan.
Most of you already know which country I plan to move to. While I may not entirely run away from the ruckus that is happening here, I know I will be able to find the things that I seek in that land. And the things that I seek include…
People and govt work hand in hand for the preservation of the environment.
A police force that I can trust.
A public medical service (though slow), that I can trust.
Measures or projects implemented by the govt that actually work.
Qualified and accountable ministers, where a slight indication of any mistakes or abuse of power, the minister will most probably resign.
Very much less pressure to save like hell for my children’s education.
With good grades, entry into world class university for my children is almost guaranteed.
Fresher and cleaner air most of the time.
At 6 p.m. on a weekday, chances are my boss will ask me to go home instead of asking me to attend a meeting… which will be held at 7pm.
Confidence in public administration and almost everything else --- this is a very interesting point and will be explained greatly in another post.
Newly added – knowing that the sanctity of my religion will not be ridiculed.
If I am to sit down and think further, I will probably add more to the list. But I guess you know where I am getting at. In effect, you should not be migrating to run away from problems. Rather, you should migrate to seek for solution. And to achieve this, one must then exercise discernment as to where one wants to migrate. One should be certain that one will be able to find what you are seeking in the land you are going to step foot in.
There are however, some cases where people move to another country to run away from unhealthy emotional attachment or unpleasant emotional memories. Perhaps in those situations, such running-away acts may be justifiable. But that is not the notion here. And even that, such may also be cases of people seeking better memories.
And no doubt, there are other factors to consider such as availability of jobs and genuine inability to adapt, which is indeed, very real. And that is probably why I am still here, the issue on availability of jobs. But once one has addressed this issue, one can then do a running from vs. running to reflection.
In all honestly, there are some elements of “running-away” in my case, but not because of what is happening now but rather of what I think could happen in the future. This is a result of knowing too many things, things that I can't really share. Perhaps that is a story for another day.
Last but not least; yes, you will forever be a second-class citizen. But I would rather be a second-class citizen in a place where I can enjoy most, if not all of the public benefits; than to be a first class citizen here and… well, let just not go there…
1 year ago… We just can’t do it
I think this is an appropriate time for me to teach you another Chinese saying. Apart from the 2 that I have mentioned thus far, this is quite a mouthful. And the saying of the day is…
“Jek Sau Jeh Tin”
[Direct translation: One hand shelter sky / satu tangan lindung (dari) langit]
Ancient Chinese (and perhaps some modern Chinese) believe that the sky (i.e. Tin) represents the ultimate power / judgement. So if you only need one hand to shelter yourself from this “ultimate power / judgement”… you must be an incredibly extra-ordinary individual.
Reasoning and history aside, “Jek Sau Jeh Tin” predominantly represents invincibility. If you are said to be able to “Jek Sau Jeh Tin”, it means you are able to do whatever you want because no one, not even “the sky”, can touch you. It is a “very nice” position to be in.
For example, if you own a company, you can safely say that you can “Jek Sau Jeh Tin” in the company. You can come in late, you can go for 3 hour lunch, you can watch porn in the office or even disappear from the office and no one can do anything to you… because you have ultimate control of the company.
Similarly...
If you live in a land where you are in control of everything, then you can also “Jek Sau Jeh Tin”. You can cheat and you can lie, and no one will be able to do anything. Not just that, you can also steal… rape or even… kill, and no one will be able to do anything about it.
And just to link to the 2 Chinese saying I have mentioned in the past…
All those things that you conjure up to challenge those who can Jek Sau Jeh Tin are all… “Doh Yu”. You seriously think you get something out of it?... Sam Jiu lah…
1 year ago… Tahap yang mana?
2 years ago… A locker tale
I am sure many will agree that it has been an overly eventful week. And I am not just referring to the tragic death of Teoh Beng Hock. I am also referring to the so-called “investigative journalism” incident. Anyone not aware of that?
Amidst all that, I have drafted a very angry and emotional post which I had the intention to publish it today. I reckon if I do post it up, I will most probably land myself in trouble. And judging by the looks of things, I might end up dead.
I am glad that I went to church today, that sermon helped calm me down. One thing for sure, my Pastor said that the bible did say… “Be angry, but do not sin”. This means Christians should feel angry and not be overly infected with the I-am-a-Christian-and-so-I-must-not-be-angry syndrome.
So I am not going to post up what I drafted. But I just want to highlight the state of hopeless-ness in our country. When I talked to some people regarding the “highlight” of last week, I was given such responses/comments:-
“I don’t talk politics”
“Khalid should answer to this” --- referring to the Selangor MB because the incident happened in Selangor, and that he should be responsible. What the fuck!!!!!! WHAT! THE! FUCK!
And the mother of all responses…
“Aiyah, even if you are in another country. A car may hit you, a plane might crash into your home, you can still die”. --- SERIOUSLY!!???? SE-RIOUS-LY!!!!!
Looking back, I realise I should not feel angry and overly emotional. With so many people with the above sentiments, this country deserves to be what it is today. After I have calmed myself down, I should just concentrate with my plan and no feeling about the rest.
1 year ago… Counselling at the mamak
2 years ago… Those auto messages
In our session with heads of government earlier, I had the chance to discuss with them what has been done in Uganda and the President’s vision is to find a way to overcome the corruption problem”
